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Two more conservation areas established in Peru

Posted on by Ana Folhadella

Two more conservation areas established in Peru

Last month we shared the story of Miguel Paredes de Bellota and his family, who, with the help of ACA and our sister organization Conservación Amazónica (ACCA), were able to establish their own conservation area called Santuario de la Verónica after a six year battle. This month we helped finalize the establishment of two more conservation areas in the region!

Fundo Cadena and Machusmiaca II are the names of the new protected conservation area, both of which are private lands owned by local families who made the commitment to have the areas set aside for conservation purposes. Venecio Cutipa, the owner of Machusmiaca II, was excited to share the motivation behind his decision to create a conservation area: “For more than 30 years I have lived in this forest, and I envision a future where my four children can also enjoy what nature has given me. By working the land in a sustainable way and protecting the forest, I can achieve that future for the benefit and well-being of my children.”

Combined, Fundo Cadena and Machusmiaca II represent 139 hectares (about 343 acres) of land that is now safely protected. We are so proud of all these individuals and their families for striving to protect the rainforest. When it comes to conservation, every acre matters!

MAAP #40: Early Warning Deforestation Alerts in The Peruvian Amazon

Posted on by dcadmin

GLAD alerts are a powerful new tool to monitor forest loss in the Peruvian Amazon in near real-time. This early warning system, created by the GLAD (Global Land Analysis and Discovery) laboratory at the University of Maryland and supported by Global Forest Watch, was launched in March 2016 as the first Landsat-based (30-meter resolution) forest loss alert system (previous systems were based on lower-resolution imagery). The alerts are updated weekly and can be accessed through Global Forest Watch (Image 40a, left panel) or GeoBosques (Image 40a, right panel), a web portal operated by the Peruvian Ministry of Environment.

Image 40a. Data: UMD/GLAD, WRI/GFW, PNCB/MINAM
Image 40a. Data: UMD/GLAD, WRI/GFW, PNCB/MINAM

In MAAP, we often combine these alerts with analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery (courtesy of the Planet Ambassador Program and Digital Globe NextView service) to better understand patterns and drivers of deforestation in near real-time. In this article, we highlight 3 examples of this type of innovative analysis from across the Peruvian Amazon:

Example 1: Logging Roads in central Peru (Ucayali)
Example 2: Invasion of Ecotourism Concessions in southern Peru (Madre de Dios)
Example 3: Buffer Zone of Cordillera Azul National Park (Loreto)

Example 1: Logging Roads in central Peru (Ucayali)

In the previous MAAP #18, we documented the proliferation of logging roads in the central Peruvian Amazon during 2015. In recent weeks, we have seen the start of rapid new logging road construction for 2016. Image 40b shows the linear forest loss associated with two new logging roads along the Tamaya river in the remote central Peruvian Amazon (Ucayali region). Red indicates the 2016 road construction (35.8 km). Insets A and B indicate the areas shown in the high-resolution zooms below.

Image 40b. Data: UMD/GLAD, Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA, MINAGRI
Image 40b. Data: UMD/GLAD, Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA, MINAGRI

The following images show, in high-resolution, the rapid construction of logging roads in 2016. Image 40c shows the construction of 16.1 km between March (left panel) and July (right panel) 2016 in the area indicated by Inset A. Image 40d shows the construction of 19.7 km between June (left panel) and July (right panel) 2016 in the area indicated by Inset B.

Image 40c. Data: Planet
Image 40c. Data: Planet
Image 40d. Data: Planet
Image 40d. Data: Planet

Example 2: Invasion of Ecotourism Concessions in southern Peru (Madre de Dios)

Image 40e shows the recent deforestation within two ecotourism concessions along the Las Piedras River in the Madre de Dios region. Red indicates the 2016 GLAD alerts (67.3 hectares). Note that the Las Piedras Amazon Center (LPAC) Ecotourism Concession represents an effective barrier against deforestation occurring in the surrounding concessions. According to local sources, the main drivers of deforestation in the area are related to the establishment of cacao plantations and cattle pasture (see s MAAP #23). Inset A indicates the areas shown in the high-resolution zoom below.

Image 40e. Data: UMD/GLAD, Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA, MINAGRI
Image 40e. Data: UMD/GLAD, Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA, MINAGRI

Image 40f shows high-resolution images of the area indicated by Inset A between April (left panel) and July (right panel) 2016. The yellow circles indicate areas of deforestation between these dates.

Image 40f. Data: Planet, DigitalGlobe (Nextview)
Image 40f. Data: Planet, DigitalGlobe (Nextview)

Example 3: Buffer Zone of Cordillera Azul National Park (Loreto)

Image 40g shows the recent deforestation within the western buffer zone of the Cordillera Azul National Park in the Loreto region. Red indicates the 2016 GLAD alerts (87.3 hectares). It is worth noting that this area is classified as Permanent Production Forest, not as an agricultural area.

Image 40g. Data: SERNANP, Landsat, UMD/GLAD, Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA
Image 40g. Data: SERNANP, Landsat, UMD/GLAD, Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA

Image 40h shows high-resolution images of the area indicated by Inset A between December 2015 (left panel), January 2016 (central panel), and July 2016 (right panel). The yellow circles indicate areas that were deforested between these dates. The driver of the deforestation appears to be the establishment of small-scale agricultural plantations.

Image 40h. Data: RapidEye/Planet, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 40h. Data: RapidEye/Planet, Digital Globe (Nextview)

Citation

Finer M, Novoa S, Goldthwait E (2016) Early Alerts of Deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon. MAAP: 40.

MAAP #39: Gold Mining Deforestation Within Tambopata National Reserve Exceeds 865 Acres

Posted on by dcadmin

Based on analysis of satellite imagery, we have documented that the deforestation due to illegal gold mining activities within Tambopata National Reserve (Madre de Dios region) now exceeds 350 hectares (872 acres) since the initial invasion in late 2015 (see Image 39a). Although the rate of deforestation has decreased since April, when the Peruvian government installed a permanent control post* in the area, it is clear that the deforestation continues to expand.  In the Image, we highlighted the most recent deforestation (June and July 2016) in red to emphasize the current fronts. Insets A and B indicate the areas detailed in the zooms below.

*A recent article in the New York Times highlighted the extreme difficulty faced by the Peruvian government in cracking down on the illegal mining. Yesterday, the leading Peruvian newspaper El Comercio reported that the control post has been abandoned due to lack of resources.

Image 39a. Data: Planet, SERNANP, MAAP
Image 39a. Data: Planet, SERNANP, MAAP

Zoom A

In the following images, we show high-resolution examples of the recent deforestation within the reserve. Image 39b shows the deforestation that occurred between May 30 (left panel) and June 20 (right panel), 2016 in the area indicated by Inset A. The red circles indicate primary zones of new deforestation between these dates.

Image 39b. Data: Planet, SERNANP
Image 39b. Data: Planet, SERNANP

Zoom B

Image 39c shows the deforestation between May 3 (left panel) and July 21 (right panel), 2016 in the area indicated by Inset B. The red circles indicate primary areas of new deforestation between these dates.

Image 39c. Data: Digital Globe (Nextview), SERNANP
Image 39c. Data: Digital Globe (Nextview), SERNANP

Citation

Novoa S, Finer M, Olexy T (2016) Gold Mining Deforestation within Tambopata National Reserve exceeds 350 Hectares. MAAP: #39

MAAP #38: United Cacao Deforestation in Area Classified As “Forest Production”

Posted on by dcadmin

The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MINAGRI) recently issued a resolution approving the Update of the Soil and Optimum Land Use Suitability Studies for Areas in the Loreto Region. It is important to emphasize that “Optimum Land Use” (Capacidad de Uso Mayor in Spanish)  is not determined by forest cover, but the quantitative interpretation of the soil, climate, and topography.

This new resolution represents an important advance in forest management in Peru because, according to both the previous1 and current2 Forestry Law, if the Optimum Land Use of a particular area is classified as Forest Production or Protection, it is illegal to change the land use to agriculture and cause deforestation. Thus, it is only possible to request land use change if the area has been classified as “Agriculture” (Optimum Land Use Annual Crop, Permanent Crop, or Pasture).3

Here, we analyze the spatial data corresponding to the new resolution. In Image 38a, we show that 92.6% (2,200 hectares) of the deforestation4 associated with the United Cacao project occurred on areas with an Optimum Land Use classification of Forest Production5. This classification “groups the lands in which climatic, terrain and soil conditions are not favorable for intensive cultivation, permanent crops, nor pastures, but for the production of timber species.”

Image 38a. Data: MINAGRI 2016. Red lines indicate areas deforested by United Cacao between 2013 and 2016. Green indicates areas with Optimum Land Use classification of Forest Production, while the yellows indicate areas with Optimum Land Use classification of Agriculture.
Image 38a. Data: MINAGRI 2016. Red lines indicate areas deforested by United Cacao between 2013 and 2016. Green indicates areas with Optimum Land Use classification of Forest Production, while the yellows indicate areas with Optimum Land Use classification of Agriculture.

In addition, 3.8% of the deforestation occurred in areas with an Optimum Land Use classification of Pasture/Forestry, while the remaining 3.6% occurred in areas with classification of Pasture. However, it is important to emphasize that even in these areas with an agricultural classification, our analysis of satellite imagery found that they were actually covered with primary forest (see Image 38b).

In conclusion, the vast majority of deforestation caused by United Cacao occurred in areas classified as optimally suited for forest production, where changes in land-use and associated deforestation are not permitted.

Imagen 38b. Data: Landsat/NASA/USGS
Imagen 38b. Data: Landsat/NASA/USGS

Notes

1Ley 27308 Articulo 7. Decreto Supremo 014-2001-AG, Reglamento de la Ley Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre, Art. 36.

2 LEY FORESTAL Y DE FAUNA SILVESTRE (LEY Nº 29763), Artículo 37

3 Decreto Legislativo No. 653, Ley de Promocion de las Inversiones en el Sector Agrario (1991)

4 See MAAP #35 for more information regarding this deforestation.

5 Specifically, this area is classified as F2s: Tierras Aptas para Producción Forestal (Símbolo F), Clase – Calidad Agrológica Media (Símbolo F2),  Subclase – Limitación por Suelo (Símbolo “s”)

Citation

Finer M, Novoa S, Cruz C (2016) United Cacao deforestation in area classified as “Forest Production.” MAAP: 38.

MAAP #37 Deforestation Hotspot in The Central Peruvian Amazon Driven By Cattle Pasture

Posted on by dcadmin

In the previous MAAP #26, we presented a map of Deforestation Hotspots in the Peruvian Amazon during 2015*. This analysis showed that the highest concentration of deforestation is in the central Peruvian Amazon.

Here in MAAP #37, we focus on this region, as indicated by Image 37a. Specifically, we analyze the hotspots shown in Insets C and D, located in the eastern section of the department of Huanuco.

(Note that we previously described the hotspots indicated by Insets A and B, located in northwest Ucayali department, in MAAP #26).

For 2015, we calculated a total deforestation of 7,930 hectares (19,595 acres) in the area indicated by these two insets. The main deforestation driver is likely cattle pasture (see below). It is worth noting that the vast majority of the deforested area (87%) is outside of areas zoned for agriculture use.

We calculated an additional deforestation of 16,590 hectares (41,000 acres) in 2013 and 2014. Again, the vast majority of the forest loss appears to be outside areas zoned for agriculture use.

Image 37a. Data: UMD/GLAD
Image 37a. Data: UMD/GLAD

Deforestation Driver: Cattle Pasture

The predominant land use in the area is cattle pasture, so that is likely the leading driver of the documented deforestation.

We took a sample (1,500 hectares) of areas that were deforested in 2014, and found that 76% (1,140 hectares) were converted to cattle pasture in 2015. All sample areas were greater than 5 hectares and had available high-resolution imagery from September 2015. Based on an analysis of the imagery, we estimate that a similar amount of area was being cleared for pasture in 2015.

Below, we show a series of high-resolution images of this deforestation (click each image to enlarge).

Inset C Hotspot

Image 37b shows a detailed view of the deforestation inside the area indicated by Inset C.

In this area, we documented deforestation of 5,050 hectares in 2015. Of this total, 46% of the deforestation events were small-scale (<5 ha), 43% were medium-scale (5-50 ha), and 12% were large-scale (>50 ha).

We calculated an additional deforestation 0f 9,940 hectares in 2013 and 2014.

In Image 37c we show, in high resolution, an example of the recent deforestation in this area between August 2014 (left panel) and September 2015 (right panel). See Inset C1 for context.

Image 37b. Data: PNCB/MINAM, UMD/GLAD, MTC
Image 37b. Data: PNCB/MINAM, UMD/GLAD, MTC
Image 37c. Data: WorldView of Digital Globe (NextView).
Image 37c. Data: WorldView of Digital Globe (NextView).

Inset D Hotspot

Image 37d shows a detailed view of the deforestation inside the area indicated by Inset D.

In this area, we documented deforestation of 2,883 hectares in 2015. Of this total, 44% of the deforestation events were small-scale (<5 ha), 51% were medium-scale (5-50 ha), and 6% were large-scale (>50 ha).

We calculated an additional deforestation of 6,650 hectares in 2013 and 2014.

In Images 37e – 37f, we show, in high resolution, two examples of the recent deforestation in this area between June (left panel) and September (right panel) of 2015. See Insets D1 and D2 for context.

Image 37d. Data: PNCB/MINAM, UMD/GLAD, MTC
Image 37d. Data: PNCB/MINAM, UMD/GLAD, MTC
Image 37e. Data: WorldView of Digital Globe (NextView).
Image 37e. Data: WorldView of Digital Globe (NextView).
Image 37f. Data: WorldView of Digital Globe (NextView).
Image 37f. Data: WorldView of Digital Globe (NextView).

References

* Based on the data from the GLAD alerts, produced by the University of Maryland, Google, and Global Forest Watch. http://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/5/-9.31/-75.01/PER/grayscale/umd_as_it_happens

*Hansen, M.C., A. Krylov, A. Tyukavina, P.V. Potapov, S. Turubanova, B. Zutta, S. Ifo, B. Margono, F. Stolle, and R. Moore. Humid tropical forest disturbance alerts using Landsat data. Environ. Res. Lett. 11: 034008.

Citation

Finer M, Novoa S, Cruz C, Peña N (2016) Deforestation Hotspot in the central Peruvian Amazon. MAAP: 37.

MAAP #35: Confirming Amazon Deforestation by United Cacao in 2013 [High Res View]

Posted on by dcadmin

To date, we have published 4 MAAP articles* tracking deforestation by the company United Cacao in the northern Peruvian Amazon (outside the town of Tamshiyacu in the Loreto region). In these articles, based on analysis of satellite imagery, we have documented the deforestation of 2,380 hectares (5,880 acres) related to this project.

The company, however, continues to deny this deforestation**. In general, their main response seems to be that the land in question had been deforested for previous agricultural projects prior to their arrival in 2013.

Here in MAAP #35, we show definitively that this assertion simply does not match the satellite evidence. This article is based on analysis of recently-acquired satellite images from early 2013, the time period that the cacao project began. These images show, in extremely high resolution, the large-scale deforestation of primary forest in the project area between March and September 2013.*** Click each image to enlarge.

It is important to resolve the deforestation-related issues because the company has plans to expand its agricultural land bank in the coming years. Please see this recent statement from the Peruvian Forestry Service (SERFOR) for details on the legal aspect of this case.

As a reference, at the end of the article there is a graphic (Image 35l) illustrating the difference (as seen in high-resolution imagery) between primary forest, secondary vegetation, agricultural areas, and deforested areas.

New Evidence of Large-Scale Deforestation in 2013

We recently obtained high-resolution satellite imagery from March 25, 2013, immediately before the beginning of the deforestation for the cacao project. Image 35a shows the same exact project area between March (left panel) and September (right panel) 2013. In March, the project area is predominantly covered with primary forest*** and contains only a few scattered patches of previously disturbed land. In contrast, in September, the project area is clearly undergoing a large-scale deforestation event (1,100 hectares at that time).

Image 35a. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35a. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)

Zoom A

In the following series of images, we show zooms of the areas indicated by Insets A-E in Image 35a. Each image shows the same exact area within the cacao project between March (left panel) and September (right panel) 2013. In all images, one can clearly see intact forest in March followed by large-scale deforestation in September.

Image 35b. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35b. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35c. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35c. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)

Zoom B

Image 35d. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35d. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35e. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35e. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)

Zoom C

Image 35f. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35f. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35g. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35g. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)

Zoom D

Image 35h. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35h. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35i. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35i. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)

Zoom E

Image 35j. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35j. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35k. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)
Image 35k. Data: Airbus, Digital Globe (Nextview)

Reference Graphic

Finally, for reference, Image 35l illustrates the difference (as seen in high-resolution imagery) between primary forest, secondary vegetation, agricultural areas, and deforested areas.

References

*MAAP #27, MAAP #13, MAAP #9, MAAP #2

**See articles in Directors Talk, La Region, y The Guardian

***see MAAP #9 for details on our time-series analysis dating back to 1985 that revealed that the vast majority of the project area is primary forest

Citation

Finer M, Cruz C, Novoa S (2016) Confirming Amazon Deforestation by United Cacao in 2013 [High Res View].  MAAP: 35.

MAAP #36: New Gold Mining Frontier in The Northern Peruvian Amazon

Posted on by dcadmin

In several previous MAAP articles, we have detailed gold mining deforestation in the southern Peruvian Amazon. Here, we provide evidence of the first known case of gold mining deforestation in northern Peru.

A recent news article published by the Peruvian organization DAR reported that gold mining activity continues to increase in the Santiago River (see Image 36a), located in the Amazonas region of the northern Peruvian Amazon. The article also mentions that this gold mining activity is no longer restricted to the river, but is now entering the forest. There are mining concessions in the area, but according to a recent article published in The Guardian, the miners are not operating legally with permission from the concessionaire.

Here, we show the first satellite images that confirm that the mining activity is indeed causing deforestation along the Santiago River (see below). Click each image to enlarge.

Image 36a. Credit: DAR, April 2016
Image 36a. Credit: DAR, April 2016

Satellite Images of Gold Mining Deforestation in Northern Peru

Image 36b shows a high-resolution image of the newly deforested area due to mining activity along the Santiago River (see yellow circle). The total forest loss to date is 8 hectares (20 acres).

Image 36b. Data: Planet Labs
Image 36b. Data: Planet Labs

Image 36c shows that the deforestation occurred between August 2014 (left panel) and August 2015 (right panel).

Image 36c. Data: USGS/NASA
Image 36c. Data: USGS/NASA

Citation

Finer M, Novoa S (2016) Gold Mining Deforestation in the Northern Peruvian Amazon. MAAP: 36.

The Body Shop Foundation Supports Tarwi Project in Peru

Posted on by Ana Folhadella

The Body Shop Foundation Supports Tarwi Project in Peru Tarwi may not be a well-known legume in the US, but it is helping farmers in Peru not only sustain themselves financially, but also improve soil quality!

Thanks to extremely generous support from the The Body Shop Foundation, ACA has been working with local communities in the Andean highlands to plant and harvest tarwi on their land. Tarwi is an ancient Andean legume that has nitrogen-fixing properties, which can improve soil fertility and help reduce agricultural expansion, contributing toward the conservation of threatened highland forests. This means that farmers can plant it on degraded land and it will not only help restore the minerals in the soil, but will also be a good source of food to be consumed and sold. The crop has also been proven to deliver favorable returns for beneficiaries, as it has a strong local and regional market.

The tarwi project supports the livelihoods of 31 farmers across these communities by providing them with important information and constant technical support to promote best practices for a productive tarwi harvest. Through this project, ACA is helping to strengthen the tarwi farmers’ association Flor Azul (“Blue Flower” in English), referring to the crop’s delicate blue flowers. Together, we have already successfully improved market access and created a rotating seed fund, which ensures healthy harvests in the future and is central to maintaining the vibrant agricultural and biological diversity for which the region is known.

 

Local Partnerships in Bolivia Helping the Amazon Thrive  

Posted on by Ana Folhadella

In Bolivia, our sister organization ACEAA (Asociación Boliviana para la Investigación y Conservación de Ecosistemas Andino Amazónicos) is partnering with the local government of Pando to provide technical expertise for the preparation of a long-range plan to protect the Amazon and implement conservation projects on the ground.

“Working with the Pando government has been very rewarding,” says ACEAA’s Executive Director, Marcos Terán, “It is great to see their dedication to protect the local environment and all the great things we can accomplish together.” The local government has created public policies for land use and, together with ACEAA, has identified several areas of focus for environmental protection in the Pando region. ACEAA is supporting conservation projects in the area that are focused on addressing human-wildlife conflicts, managing natural resources and developing and protecting conservation areas.The two entities have also collaborated on creating a new conservation planning framework for the region. A great win for the Amazon! 

New Forest Protection Project in Peru! 

Posted on by Ana Folhadella

The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) has approved a grant of over $2 million dollars to ACA to help monitor and protect the forests in Peru! This exciting project will build capacity for near real-time deforestation monitoring efforts and forestry management in the country, helping us achieve REDD+ goals in the Peruvian Amazon.

The goal of the project is to help local governments and civil society operate active, effective and transparent near real-time deforestation monitoring systems, as well as train local stakeholders on using technical tools needed in this process. There will also be a component to help implement social and environmental policies and practices that reduce the pressure on forests. This project starts this year and will be funded until 2020, and will be done in partnership with our sister organization Conservación Amazónica (ACCA), the Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA) and Wake Forest University.

Make sure to keep an eye on our website where we’ll be announcing more information on this project soon! We thank NORAD for their continued collaboration to help us protect the Amazon! For more information on NORAD, visit: https://www.norad.no/en/front/